BRICKS

Bricks are the Structural Units of rectangular

shape and convenient size that are made from

suitable types of clays by different processes

involving moulding, drying and burning

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COMPARISION OF BRICK WORK
AND STONE BWORK

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Reasons of Popularity of Bricks as Construction Material

Availability of Clay
Easy Construction
Compared to Stone Work and Concrete Work less experienced
and less qualified person can work
Can be available in ready-to-use size (in stone minimum dressing
is absolute necessary and in concrete an elaborate form work and
shuttering are basic requirements)
Easy transportation and laying
Cheaper compared to stone masonry and concrete construction
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 STAGES OF MANUFACTURING OF BRICKS
1.Selection of suitable type of clay (i.e. brick earth)

2.Preparation and Tampering of Mud

3.Moulding

4.Drying of moulded bricks

5.Loading of dried bricks in Kiln

6.Burning of dried bricks

7.Cooling

8.Unloading of the Kilns 4

 DESIRABLE CONSTITUENTS/ INGREDIENTS OF BRICK EARTH

NAME DESIRED % REMARK

Alumina 20-30 % It gives plasticity to clay in wet condition. If it is higher than
30 % brick will become more plastic and will shrink more on
drying which may develop cracks. If it is less than 20 % clay
may be difficult to mould to proper shape.
Silica 50-60 % Silica is present in two forms 1. as a constituent of clay
mineral and 2. as free silica in form of sand or quartz.
It imparts hardness and strength. It is also responsible for
resistance bricks against shrinkage and durability. If
proportion is high clay will not be easily mouldable and on
burning bricks will become brittle and porous. Moreover
such bricks will not burn easily
Iron Oxides 4-6 % It acts as a Flux. i.e. it lowers down the softening
temperature of different constituents during burning. It
imparts characteristics red colour to burnt bricks.
If excess in content it will make brick too soft during
burning which may cause deformation of shape and size.
Less in content will cause burning difficult and also brick
would look yellowish.
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 DESIRABLE CONSTITUENTS/ INGREDIENTS OF BRICK EARTH (Continued)

NAME DESIRED % REMARK

Lime 4-6 % It makes burning and hardening of bricks quicker.

If more in content it may result in excessive softening of
the clay on heating. It must be present only in finely
powdered and thoroughly dispersed form otherwise it may
give rise to slaking (a harmful reaction which may cause
slow disintegration of bricks) when the bricks comes in
contact with moisture after its use.

Magnesia ----- It is invariably associated with lime and has similar effects.
Its % content is decided as per deciding quality of clay.

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 UNDESIRABLE CONSTITUENTS/ INGREDIENTS OF BRICK EARTH

NAME REMARK
Lime nodules
Organic Matter
Sulphides and Sulphates
Alkali Salts

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 QUALITIES OF GOOD BRICKS
1. It should have a rectangular shape, regular surface and red coloured
appearance.
2. It should have perfect size i.e. dimensions (19 X 9 X 9 cm)
3. It should be properly burnt. On striking two bricks it should give sharp metallic
sound.
4. It should not absorb water more than 20 % of its dry weight
5. It should possess requisite compressive strength not less than 35 kg/cm2.
6. When dropped freely from a height of about one meter on to a hard floor it
should not break.
7. It should be hard enough so that it is not scratched by finger nail.
8. When broken in to two pieces broken surface in both the halves should have
same appearance and structure
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 Classification of Bricks
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS USE
First Class 1. Well burnt having even surfaces and perfectly
rectangular shape. 1. Excellent for all types of
2. When two bricks are struck clear ringing sound is construction.
produced. 2. Specially used for exposed
3. Its compressive strength is more than 140 kg/cm2 work (when plastering is
4. It does not absorb water more than 20 % when not to be done).
immersed for 24 hours. 3. Also useful for flooring.
5. It has uniform appearance, texture and structure
when seen on fracturing.
Second Class 1. Well burnt however slight over burning is accepted
2. When two bricks are struck clear ringing sound is
produced. 1. Used in exterior work
3. Has rectangular shape but slight irregularity is when plastering is to be
permitted. Surface may be slightly uneven done.
4. Its compressive strength is more than 70 kg/cm2 2. Used for interior walls.
5. It absorbs water 20-22 % when immersed for 24 3. Not used as flooring.
hours.
6. Slight difference in structure on fractured surface.

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 Classification of Bricks
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS USE
Third Class 1. Poorly and unevenly burnt i.e. may be over burnt or
under burnt.
Used mostly in ordinary
2. When two bricks are struck dull sound is produced.
type of construction and in
3. Appearance, shape and size are non-uniform and
dry situations.
irregular
4. Its compressive strength is more than 35-70 kg/cm2
5. It absorb water 22-25 % when immersed for 24
hours.

Fourth Class 1. Irregular in shape and dark in colour i.e over burnt. Commonly used in broken
2. Quite strong in compressive strength (more than 150 form in road construction,
kg/cm2) foundation and floors as
3. Low in porosity and water absorption coarse aggregate

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 FIRE BRICKS

These bricks are made from fire clays.

The process of manufacturing is the
same as the ordinary clay bricks. The
burning and cooling of fire bricks are
done gradually.

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• These bricks are usually white or yellowish in
colour. The weight of a fire brick is about 30 to
35 N. The fire brick can resist high
temperature without softening and melting.
Hence they are used in inner linings of interior
spaces or furnaces, chimneys,kilns,ovens,
fireplaces,etc.
• The compressive strength of fire bricks varies
from 200 to 220 N/mm2.
• The percentage of absorption of these bricks
varies from 5 to 10.

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 THREE VARIETIES OF FIRE
BRICKS
1)Acidic Bricks
2)Basic Bricks
3)Neutral Bricks

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 ACIDIC BRICKS
• These bricks are used for acidic lining. Following are the types of acidic bricks:-

1)ORDINARY FIRE BRICKS: these bricks are made from natural fire clay and they

provide a good material for acidic refractory lining.

2)SILICA BRICKS: These bricks contain a very high percentage of silica to the extent

of about 95 to 97%. A small quantity of lime about 1 to 2%, is added to work as

binding material. These bricks are molded under pressure and burnt at high

temperature. The silica bricks can stand a high temperature upto about 2000 C.

The compressive strength of such bricks is about 15 N/mm2

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 BASIC BRICKS

• These bricks are used for basic lining and basic

refractory materials are used in the
manufacturing of such bricks. The magnesia
bricks are prepares from lime and magnesia
rocks. The dolomite may also be adopted for
manufacturing of these bricks
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 NEUTRAL BRICKS
The bricks are used for neutral lining. They offer
resistance to corrosive action of slags and acid fumes.
As compared to basic bricks, neutral bricks are more
inert to slags. Following are the types of neutral bricks :
1) CHROMITE BRICKS: These bricks are prepared from a
mixture of chrome, iron ore, ferrous oxide, bauxite and
silica. Such bricks are not affected by basic and acidic
actions.
2) HIGH ALUMINA BRICKS: these bricks contain a high
percentage of alumina and they are found to be more
inert to slags.

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SPECIALLY SHAPED BRICKS

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CLAY PRODUCTS

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List of clay products used in building construction.

1.Bricks
2.Tiles - Roofing Tiles, Flooring Tiles, Wall Tiles
3.Earthen Ware.
4.Sanitary Wares.
5.Stone Wares.
6.Refractories.
7.Porcelain etc.
 TYPES OF TILES

POT TILES

CORRUGATED TILES

ALLAHABAD TILES 21
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